In 2023, Russia led global rail freight throughput with 63.51 billion tonne kilometers, despite a slight decline of 0.3%. Kazakhstan followed at 32.88 billion, marking a modest growth of 0.096%. Belarus experienced a decline of 0.53%, while Ukraine saw a significant decrease of 7.31%, likely due to geopolitical instability. Western European countries such as Germany (1.34%), Austria (2.46%), and Switzerland (0.68%) showed slight increases, reflecting stable infrastructure. Notable growth was seen in France and Slovenia, driven by enhanced logistic solutions. Conversely, Estonia plummeted by a staggering 32.99%.
Future trends to watch include increased investments in rail infrastructure and technology enhancements. With environmental concerns driving shifts away from road freight, countries may seek to boost rail throughput to optimize cost-efficiency and sustainability, particularly in Europe and Asia.
Top countries in International Rail Freight Volume Transiting by Rail Throughput by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Million Tonne Kilometers | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Russia | 63,510 | 2023 | +0.65% | -0.3% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Kazakhstan | 32,880 | 2023 | +1.05% | +0.096% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Belarus | 19,110 | 2023 | +0.96% | -0.53% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Ukraine | 11,940 | 2023 | -8.89% | -7.31% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Germany | 10,970 | 2023 | -0.48% | +1.34% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Austria | 8,630 | 2023 | +2.38% | +2.46% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Switzerland | 7,720 | 2023 | +0.51% | +0.68% | View data |
| 8 | 8 France | 3,820 | 2023 | +2.06% | +3.08% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Hungary | 3,490 | 2023 | +1.19% | +1.43% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Slovakia | 3,470 | 2023 | +0.52% | +0.59% | View data |
